Motor-vehicle.



u.y E. HUNT. MOTOR VEHICLE."

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I. l9l5` uIfImwmIfpt-I 24, 291.9; V

I .ISN N I I r @XII MwW..I....III.I.I.II|III.I.IIHHII..IIIFIIIIIHHIM .Nw/$91495 btfndflz 279i ..w u ...I I... u. Mira SII l. I I I ww 0. E. HUNT. MOTOR VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I, I9'I5k. I I Iatntedept. 24, 1918I n/szrxtrns PATENT OFFICE.

OBMOND E. HUNT, OFDETROITVMICHIGAN. ASSIGNOR T0 PACKARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY, DETROIT, MICHIGAN, -A CORPORATION DI' MICHIGAN.

Micron-VEHICLE.

Tf1/lll whom; it may concern "'Be" it known that I, )aMoNnY E. HUNT, a

` citizen of thefUnitd States, and resident of Detroit, Wayne"co.unty, State' oi Michigan, have'invented certain new and useful Im'- provem'entsin Motor-Vehicles, of which the '.following isfa specification.

This invention relates to rnotor vehicles and "particularly to d'rivinf'axl'es therefor. Mor'ege'specially, the invention relates to that 4 form of driving axle' in vvliichthe differential isarranged transversely gf the axle shaft. Sonieof the features of the invention, however, arev not necessarily limited to such form of axle, but may be used in axles of p other' types.

One o'flthe objects of the invention is to producev an axle of \tlie above referred to type in vl'li'ich 'all ofi 'the-gears are` mounted in bearings 'in'y a single: snpportlng member.

Another 'object of the invention is to producean' axle of the above form, in which the axle shafts may be axially withdrawn and disconnected' from the center gearing, and such gearing laterally assembled: in uthe axle and disassembled'therefrom.

Anotherobj'ect of the invention is to provide novel combinations of diiferent types iao of bevel gears, particularly in axles of the above referred to type. j Another-'object of the invention is to provide, in an arxleof the above'referred to type,

seeinuratedw bearings for each of the large bevel" gears mounted at tliemidd'le portion of the axle; f

Other objects of-the invention'xwlll appear fromtlie following description taken Vin connection with the drawings,`whi ch `form a part of this specification, land in4 which; Figure 1 is a horizontalllongitudinal sectiolrthrough aA vehicle axle "embodying this invention;

ing member removed from the axle casing; HFig. 3 is' aqslightly enlarged viewslmllar tc-lfig. `1`excepttlxat certain o f-the parts are 1 in plan. .irstead of iii-section;

Figi 4- isfa rear vievv ofd lwithjeertainrparts .cutijaway to2 more clearly llustraterthe:construction;f

Slpeciilcvaton of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 24 1918, Apllcaticn led December 1, 1915. Serial No. 64,491.

13d on the front side and an alined opening 14 on the 'rear side of the axle. The `tubular portions have reinforcing members 15, the inner ends of' which are connected to the tapered casingby flanged sleeves v116. The rear opening 14 is closed'by a suitable detacliable cover 17.' The front opening 13 in the'axle' is closed by a' detachable cover 18,

vvh'ich also forms the gear-supporting member as vvill be hereinafter described.

The outer en'd of the axle and the wheel may be of4 any suitable form. As shown, a suitable bearing support 19 issleeved upon and rivetedto the outer end of'the tubular part of the axle casing, andthe bearings 20 in said `member support the outer end of the axle shafts 21, there being two of these shafts, one for each end ofthe axle casing, as will be understood. The bearing 20 is retained in position by a collar 22 screwed into the end of the member 19, and thus Aretains the axle `shafts 21 in place also. A wheel 23 is keyed to the projecting end of the axle shaft in a well-known manner, andis provided with'a suitable brake flange 24 of the usual construction.

At the middle portion of the axle is a transverselyextending driving shaft 27 this shaft as shown, being` arranged laterally betweenthe adjacent ends of the 21. Thefshaft 27 passes through a forwardly proje'ztin'gV part 28 of the cover 18, and has l a bearing 29`n' said' part 28. On

It has tubular end por-4 q A nut25 retalns 'the wheel on the axle shaft and a hub cap 26 `formsjan ornamental covering for 'axle shafts the other Side fof the axle shaft 21`,tlic shaft A i 27 has af'zbearingMO 4mounted in an arm 31 vvliich `extends from. andfis detacllably se- ,-.cured vtothe cover 18, as-sh'o'vvn particularly inFi'g. 2." 'The main 'part of this arm or bracket" 31 is secured' tothe cover' 18 by the 'bolts 32, and there are two brace arms 33 arllos I ranged Aat rightA angles to the main 31 and secured to the cover 18 as by. the bolt; 34. It will be seen that the main arm 31- extends substantially in a horizontal plane or in line with theaxle shafts 21, whereas the arms 33 are arranged' substantially in a vertical plane, or general] in line`w`ith the transverse shaft 27.- T us, the bearing is very substantially braced in its position. I

Mounted upon the driving sha-ft 2.7 lis a differential gearing 35, comprising com-` pensating pinions 36 mounted on pins 37, the

axes of which are arranged radially ofl the driving shaft 27 androtate in a plane' passing through the axesof .the axle shafts 21. Each of the driven gears 38 of the differ.- ential gearing is formed with a' sleeve 39,

which surrounds and has a'bearing upon a portion of4 the driving shaft 27. The remote ends of the sleeves 39 are formed with 'bevel driving pinions 40, which pinions are adapt ed to mesh with large driven gears 41 and 42. For the purpose of properly nesting the gears as shown, the gear 41 is made slightly erger than the gear 42, but the ratio be. tween the gear 41 and yits pinion 40 is of' -course the same as the; ratio'betweenthe gear 42 and its pinion..

Each of the'lg'ears 41,t,42,'is revolubly.

mounted in a pair of separated-annular bearings 43yand 44. As shown, theinner bearing 4-3 is mounted inwardly 'ofl the web of the gear, and the outer bearing 44 is mounted on the other side of said web. Thus, the gears are verly(7 firmly supported andare adapted to ta e the end'thrustas well ns the radial loadapplied to" them. Thrust bearings 45 may be provided adjacent," the bearings 44, as shown, for the purpos'eof `assistin the radial bearings in taking the thrust oads. Thrust Vbearings 46,j 47 are also providedv in the bracket 31` and the extension 28 respectively, for the purpose of taking 4theend thrust. of the pinions 40.

It will be understood that'semi-cylindricalseats are formed in the cover 18 for euch vof the bearings 43,v 44 and 45,--and the various bearings are held in their respective seats by suitable detachable cups or brackets. The right hand bearings 44 and 45 are retained in' their"ses;ts by the bracket 81, the part 48 ito of said 'bracket forming a cap 4for this pur pose. The .left hand bearings 44 and 45 'are retained by a cap 49, secured in lace by bolts 50.' 51^re resents the integra part of the cover 18 W ich forms'the seats' for the two inner bearings 43, und detachable caps 52 secure these bearings in'pluce, and are themselves held by bolts The parts 51 are slightly-cut away as shownat 54, in

Figs. ,1"'and 3, to permit the pinion`40 to be lnserted, between. them. It is unnecessary tocut'nway l the caps r 52 becausel theyv are not in place when the pinion 40 is inserted. i Byv reason of the comparatively Wide separation 0f the bearings 43, 44, the i slightly 4of the hubs 55 of'theseI remesa ars .4l and 42. are'en'cli formed with a hu 55, theextre'me ends of which `:ire suppoited.l by said bearings have a"withdl ru\v'able ,driving conn-ctiou withthese hubs 55, and 'as`shown, the hubs are interiorly squuredund the inner ends of.

the axle shafts 21 are similar-1 squared vso that the muy be easil inserte the hubs and wit drawnthere rom. It will be understood that .the interior of 'the axle is readily accessible' by removing the cover 17. Also, that the front'cover 18 many beremoved'withall of the' gearing lntuct after the axle shafts 21 have. been 43, 44. lThe 'uxle shafts 21 l withdrawn. sutliciently `to"breal r the' driving connection between geur hubs A55.'

Referring to' the 'second form of the inveuti'on shown 'in' Figs. 5,' 6,-l and 7 it; will be seen -thntthetubulur portions 11 of the axle casing are sliglitlyoffsetl relatively to each other, andI the uxl'e shafts '21 are mounted inthe' tubului portionsinthc sume offset relation. This necessitates the middle portion 12n of the axle being slightly different in form to take careof-the ofsetfl'ur rangement ofl the tubulur 'portionsbut' otherwise the supporting structure is thesume as that shown inthe other figures.

vAlso the fcovers 17 u1nl1 8`are substantially the same us those shown in the other figures, theonly difereneesfbeing in the altered arrangement for supporting the beu-rings.- i

'-Iu this form of the invention, it Vwill be seen that-the gears-41 `and 42 are ofthe sume size, und conseqlvlently'the :piniol'isf-m" which' mesh. with them'zue each' the sume size. Inte1ference-o 'the pinions und gears is obvia-ted this construction by the offset arrangement of "the -axle lshafts 21 und consequently of the'uxes of the fears 41 and 42?. Combination -radial )udtlirust beurings44ff are provided `foi"tlie outer ends curs; The 'radial bearings 43 'are arrange( immediately outsideof'the Webso'fthe1g9gcnrs, instead'of linside as shown -in 1the other-:figures They/are still' widely separated,however, from the bearings.

invention/ also, the

pinions 40a andthe gea they respectively mesh', gentially arranged teeth., as shown particul larly in Figs. '6a`n'd 7, and the angleof the are formed with tanteeth and' the Arelative sizes ofthe pnions und gears is' such thatthe're is'a'tendency in therward drive ofthe faxle, forthe'pinions to draw 'inwardly towardv the' apexcs of the cones instead ofroutwardl'fy u'sis the 'case with the ordinary radial `toothed gears. Thus 'ina -Fig.v 7 it wi bei seetgf'that, in the miriunl'vforward drive o'f thexyxlewitll' equa] resistance .u

I sequent-1y both of the sleeves 39a and pinions 40 will rotate in the direction of the arrows 60. Hence the tooth 61 of the forward pinion 40a will be drivin tooth 62 of gear 41 in the direction of t e arrow 63 an`d the wedging action due to the tangential form of the tooth willtend to drawthe inion inwardly. Likewise the tooth 64 o the rear pinion 40 will be driving tooth 65 of ,ear 42 in the direction of the arrow 6G an( the wedging action will tend to draw the pinion inward y.

These inward tendencies of the pinions will of course be resisted by the outward thrust of the respective bevel gears 38 on the inner ends of the sleeves 39, so that as shown the thrusts are approximately balanced and very little end thrust either way is 4the result. What slight end thrusts exist in either direction in normal operation, or What thrusts may be present in abnormal operation of the axle, are taken by shoulders 67 on the shaft 27 at the inner ends of the sleeves 89, and rings ('38 and 69 secured to the shaft 27 at the outer ends ot said sleeves. Thus all otl the end thrusts are self contained and balanced in the shaft 2T and it is necessary to mount said shaft practically for radial load only. The thrust load on the shaft bearings is only what is required to position the shaft. As

shownthe beaging 29 at the front end of ring 68 and the shaft 27 is secured thereon' between the a `member 70 held-on the end of a nut 71, and it may slide endthe shaft by cap 72 in the front end of the wise in the cover 18. At the rearend of the shaft the bearing 30 is secured between a shoulder 73 and a bolt 7l, threaded into the end of the shaft, and `it outer race is secured between l shoulders 75 o a bracket 31a. This bearing it will be seen is a combination radial and thrust bearing and it thus positions the shaft 27 in the axle structure. 4Shims may be used if desired between the shoulder 73 and :the inner race 'of this bearing 30 to adjust the shaft 27 lengthwise.

The member 31i of the axle structureis in the form of a two armed separable bracket, beingdivided along a' line 31" and connected by bolts 31, as shown particularly in Figs. (5 and 7. Qne of the arms 33 of this bracket 81 is detachablybolted to the cover 18 forming a-cap 48 for securing the right i' :for the left hand bearin hand bearings .43 and 44 in position in their respective seats in the cover 18% 'The' other arm 33 ofthe bracket 31 is likewise `boltedto 4the cover 118` and-forms a Acap 49? 493il and 44.'

It will be understoo that, there is the same vvi-thdrawable` connection between the inner ends of the' driving' shatts 21 and the 4 hubs 55 of the bevel gears. i

While several forms-of the `invention haveY Abeen shown and described, 4it will be under'- y stood that these arenot all of the forms the 4 invention may take, as it will be apparent that other chan `es may be iliade without departing Jr'rom tic spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire 'to secure by Letters Patent is i 1. In an axle, incombin'ation, a tubular supporting structure having an -cnlarged middle portion and a lateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, axle shafts withiny said tubular structure, a bevel gear having a` driving connection with the inner end of each of said axle shafts and mounted in bearings directly supported by said cover, differential driving mechanism connected to drive said bevel gears and supported by said cover, and means for drivingsaid mechasupporting str ucture having 'an enlarged middle portion and a lateral opening '1n said portion, a cover forsaid opening, axle shafts within said tubular structu're,"a bevel gear having a driving connection with the inner end of each of said axle shafts and mounted in bearings directly supported by said cover, bevel pinions in mesh with said gears,diifer ential mechanism for driving said pinions, anda driving shaft extending through said differential mechanism and supported iin bearings in said cover. i y

4. In an axle, in combination, a tnbular supporting, structure having an i enlarged middleportion and a lateral opening in said' portion, axle shafts within said tubular" a bevel gear'at the inner end of structure,

shafts with which said each of said axle shafts have an axially -withdrawable drivinggonnection, means for wholly supporting said gears at the middle portion yof` said structure, a laterally extending driving shaft having differential gearing, and pinions in mesh with said bevel gears andoperated-by said differential A gearing. i

5. In an axle,'1n combination, a tubular supporting structure having an enlaredl middle portion; axle sha-:Ets within sail tu lar structure, oppositely facinglbevel 4gears upon the yadjacent inner' ends offsaidlshafts,

-bearingsfor `said gearsfin themiddlle :por-

tion of said structure, pinions in mcshwwith'- said gears, laterally.'l arranged different-'ral gearing for driving said pinions, and a driving connection between said gears and their ,respective axle shafts such that all the ra- Adial and thrust loads'on the gears are taken by' said bearings.

6. In ainaxle, 1n combination, a--tubular .supporting structure having -an enlarged middle portion, axle shafts within said tubullar structure, oppositely facing bevel gears upon the adjacent inner ends of said shafts,

bearings for said gears in the middle portion o f said structure, pinions in mesh with said gears, laterally arrange aring for driving said'pinlons, and a dr1vmg connection between said gears and their respective axle shafts such that all the radial and thrust loads on the gears are taken by said bearings, Said connection permitting' axial withdrawal of said a'xle shafts..

7. In an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structurejhaving an enlarged middle portion and a lateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, axle shafts within said tubular structure, a driving -shaft extending'l-aterally of said axle shafts shafts.

and supported "in bearings by said. cover, differential gearing on said driving shaft, and means' forming a` driving connection from said differential gearing to 'said axle v8. In an axle, inf. combination, a tubular supporting structure having en enlarged middle portion and 'a lateral opening in said portion, a cover for 'said opening, axle shafts portion, 'a cover for-said opening within said. tubular structure, a shaft extendin laterally of said axleshafts and supportedg.l differential gearing on said driving shaft,

'bevel -pinionsv driven by said differential gearing, and bevel gears at the inner ends of said axle-shafts driven by said pinions'.

9. In an axle, in comblnaton, a tubular supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion arid a lateral opening in' said i axieshafts bevel rs within' said tubular structure,

at the-inneren'ds of said axle shafts, evel pinions for drivngsaid gears and supported said cover,` differential gearing opera- -tlvely connected tol said bevel pinions, and

.by said cover, `di'erential "gear in means for driving said differential gearing. 1,0. In an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting stmc'ture having an enlarged middle portion and 'a lateral opening in saidv portion, a. cover for said o ning, axle shafts withinsaid tubular struc re,bevel gears at Vthe inner endsof said axle shafts, bevel .p inions for driving said; gearsI and supported operatively connected to said b'vl'fpinions, and a driving shaftv also supporte by said cover and arranged to drive said-dii'erential gear- I'nan axle, 1n combination,'a tubular d differential driving in bearings by said cover,

supporting structure having an 'enlarged -middle portion, laterally arranged Ydit'erenf tial driving gearing, pinions operated by said gearing, bevel gears in mesh with saidiinions, all said gearing, pinions-and gears )eing supported in operative relation in bearings in the middle portion of said structure, axle shafts having .their inner ends sup,-

ported by saidbevel gears, bearings at the outer ends of said structure for supportin said axle shafts, and Wheels secured to and driven by said axle shafts.

12. In an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structure having an enlarged middleportiou and a late-ral opening in said portion. a cover for said opening, a laterally arranged differential' gearing supported by said'rcover, gears driven by said-gearing, and axle vshafts connected to Said'gears.

13. In'an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion-'and a lateral opening. in said portion, a cover for said opening, a laterally arranged differential gearing supported by said cover, gears driven by said gearing, and

axle shafts detachably connected to. and ldriven by said gears.

14. vIn angaxle, i n combination, a tubular supportingl 'structure having an enlarged middle portion and a lateral oienin in said portion, a coverfor said opening, a aterally 'arranged differential gearing supported by said cover, ars driven by- Said gearing; and axle khafts iaving bearings at the outer. ends of said` 'st1ucture and detachably connected -4 to and driven by said gears.

15. In an axle,- in combination, a tubular supporting 'structure having 'an enlarged middle portil on 'and .alateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, a pair of oppositely facing bevel .gears mounted in bearings directly in said cover, driving means for said gears, and axle shafts within said structure connected' tosaid gears.

' 16. In an axle, in combination, atubnla-r ,supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion anda lateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, a pair of oppositely facing bevel gears independently mounted in bearings directly in said cover,

driving means for said gears and axle sha-tts within said structure connected to said gears. 17, In an axle, 1n combination, a tldiular supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion and a lateral opening insaid -porti on, a cover for said openm a pair of oppostcly facing bevel gears in( cpendently mounted in separated bearings directly in 'said cover, driving means for said gears, andf axle'shafts connected to said ars.

1 --18. In an axle, 1n combination, a tubolari supporting structure having an enlarged* middle portion and a-lateral opening in said `.port1on,a cover 'for said opening, a later` and independentlyv -axle shafts to a point-,beyond 2s ally arranged differential gearing supportedV gears driven by said gearing` bysaid rover, i

lsupported in bearings by said cover, and axle shafts detaehably 'con nected to said gears. I

19. ln an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion and a lateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, a laterally arranged differential gea-ring supported by said cover, bevel pinions operated by said gearing, bevel gears in mesh with said `pinioi'ison either, side of said caring, bearings for said. bevel gears direct y in said' cover, and axle shafts connected to said bevel gears to be driven thereby.

'20. .In an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structure having an enlarged middle portion and a lateral opening in said portion, a cover for said opening, axle shafts within saidstructure, a driving shaft laterally `arranged and extending through said rover andl between the adjacent ends of said said shafts,

gearing eonecting Vsaid shafts, and bearings for said driving .shaft supported by said v cover. t i

cover and between th laxle shafts to a point 2l. In an axle, in combination, supporting structure having an u enlarged middle portion and a lateral openin i'n said portion, a cover for said opening, 'ax' eshafts within said structure, a driving shaft laterally arranged and` extending throughv said` beyond said shafts, gearing connecting said shafts, and bearings for said driving shaft at both sides ofsaid axlesliafts and! supported by said cover. I

22. In an axle, in combination, atubular supporting striictnre having ,an enlarged middle portion'and a lateral opening in said` port ion, a rover for said opening, axle shafts within said structure, ally arranged and extending-through said cover and between the adjacent ends of said .axle shafts to a point beyond said `bearing for said driving shaft where it Apasses through said cover, having an arin extending beyond said-axle -shafts and su ppoiting a bearing for'the eX- tended end of said driving shaft.

23. ln an axle, in combination, supporting structure lhaving an enlarged iniddleportion and a lateral opening in said portion. :i over for said opening, axle shafts gearing politici-ting said shafts, a bearing 'tor said drivingr shaft Where it passes through said cover, and said cover having a detachable .arm-extending beyond said axle adjacent ends of said.

a driving shaft lateri ings for 'each of said gears,

shafts, gearing connecting, said shafts, a lof the respective gear, axle, shafts and said cover said gears.

a tubular ing connecting said shafts.l

25.- Inan laxle, in combination, a supporting casing having a lateral opening, a cover for said opening, axle shafts, a 'transverse driving shaft, a bearing sup orting-the inner end of one of said Aaxle s afts, bearin for the driving shaft 4on both sides of e axle sha-ft, a bracketdetachably connected to the cover and supporting one of said 'drivingslnift bearings, the other of said shaft bearings and the axle 'shaft driving,

and

bearing being supported .'in, the cover,

gearing connecting said shafts.

26. Inan axle, in combination, a supporting casingdiaving a lateral opening, ai cover for said opening, axle shafts, a transverse driving shaft, separated. ,bearings for the driving shaftone on either side ofthe axle shafts, differential gearing on -saiddriving shaft between said bearings, means for supporting said bearin in said cover, and

v.gears connecting said differential gearing andsaid axle-shafts.

:27. In an axle, in combination'a support-4 ing. casing, oppositely facing bevel gears4 at the middle of said casing, se` parated` bearings for each ofsaid gears, axle shaftsdef4 tacha'bly' connected to said gears, yand differential gearingV mounted' 'transversely between andconnected to drive said gears;

axle shafts, a transverse 28. In an axle, in combination, a supportingcasing, oppositely facing bevel gears at the middle of said casing, separal'aaiI bearthe two 4bearings for each gear being arranged on 'either side driven by said gears, *and differential gearing mounted.`

transversely 29. Iii anime, ineoiiibinatien, as'uppot; ingcasing, oppositely "facing bevel 'e''rs at the middle of said casing', Separated arings for each of said gears,- the` two bearings for each gear being arranged'- on either side of the respective' ar, axle. shafts driven yby said gears, ai rivin tween thetwo mid e between ,and connectedto drive l iii;

shaft arranged be- L adjacent bearings,

differential gearing on said shaft and -arfffj ranged between said gears, and pinions,

driven by Said gearing and meshing with said bevel gears, 30. In an axle, in combination, a supporting casing,- axle shafts threin, a transverse I' driving shaft extendin porting member secured to the casing, bear.

cent end'sof said axle s afts', a bearing sup-y ings' for said driving shaft on both sides of the axle shafts,

supporting the other of said bearings, said bracket having threearms each de'tachably.

connected 'to said member,

and gearing connecting-said shafts.

31. In anY axle, in combination, a.supportu ing casing, axle shafts therein, a transverse fio ing structure, axle shafts therein,

shaft extending transversely between the adv'portingthe inner ends of said axle i A i1ig easing.' axle shafts therein arranged with .jacent endsof 'drivinggshaftvextending between the' adjacent 'ends of said axle shafts, poi-timer member secured tothe casing, bearings Vfor said driving shaft on bothsides ofsa-id bearings being theaxle shafts, one ,of mounted directly iii-said n'ieiiiber, a bracket supporting *he other of saidbearings, said bracket' having three arms each detachably connected to saidiriember, oneo said arms being arranged generallr in the plane of said axle shafts and the other arms atright angles thereto, and gearing connecting .said shafts.

32. In an'axle, in combination,- a supportingcasing, axle shafts therein, a transverse driving shaft extending between the adjacent ends of sa'id axle shafts, a bearing supporting membersecured tothe casing', bears ings for said driving shaftA on both sides of' theax'le shafts, one of said bearings Vbeing mounted. directly in said member, a bracket supporting the'other of said bearings. said bracket havingv three arni's each detachably connected to said member, `one of s a-id arme 'being arranged 'horizontally and the others in a substantially vertical plaiie,-and gearingconnecting -said shafts.

33. an axle, in combination,

'a driving jacent ends of said axle shafts, bearings sup'- shafts, bearings for the driving shaft onboth' sides of the axle shafts, a two part bracket divided at and supporting one of the driving shaft bearings, said bracket assisting in support- A ing said lfirst mentioned bearings, and gearing connecting said shafts. c

34, Inan axl, in combination, a support-A ing' st "ructii're, shaft'extendi-ngtransversely between the ad'- said axle shafts, bearings slipporting, the inn'er ends of 4of the axleshafts, a bracket supporting' `one tioned bearings, shafts.

and gearing connecting said Inan axle, in: combination, a supporttheir' axes parallel and offset, bevel gears independently supported at the middle of said between the adjagears, a laterally .extendn one'of said .bearings beingt mounted directly in said member, a4 bracketv a' bearing sup-.

a support`l` said axle shafts,- 'bearings f'or the driving shaft on both sides r VLamezia casing, 'a detachable driving connection between'said axle shafts and the respective and Agearing connecting sai shafts.

36. In an axle, in combination, a supporting easing, axle shafts therein arranged with their axes parallel and offset, bevel gears independently supported at the middle of said casing, a detachable driving connection between said axle shaftsl and the respective gears, a laterally extending driving shaft, bearings for said gears and for said driving fshaft,a bearing supporting member in which said bearings are-mounted, and gearing c0nnesting said shafts.

37. In an axle. in combination, a tubular supporting structure h'aving an enlarged middle portion andI av lateral, opening in said portion', a cover for-said opening, axle shafts within said structurearranged with their axes parallel and offset, a transverse driving shaft, gearing connecting said shafts, bearings siipportiiig the inner ends of the axle shafts and bearings supporting the driving shaft, all of said bearings being supported in said cover. a

38. In' an axle, in combination, a tubular supporting structure having aniv'enlarged middle portion and a lateral openiig in'said portion, a cover for said oper-ing, axle shafts within said structure their axes parallel and offset, fi transverse driving shaft, two oppositely facing bevel vgears o f the same size mounted at the middle 'port-lon of .said structure 1n bearings. supported by said cover, said gears connected to drive said axleshafts respectively, differenti al gearing on said driving shaft, and bevel driving shaft,-

arranged with driving shaft, bevel gears at-the inner ends of said-axle shafts, a'pair of separated bearings at one side of each of said gears for supporting said gears, and pinioiis operated by said driving shaft and meshing with said gears. r Y

40. In an axle, in combinat1on,'a

supporting casing, axle shafts therein,

a transverse aft` bevel gears at the inner ends of said axle shafts, a pair of separated bearings at-one side of each of said gears for `supporting esaid gears, diffe'rential'gearingon said driving shaftbetween said gears, and pinions operated by said gearing and meshing vwith said bevel gea 41. Thecombination with ing bevel gears, of a lateral arranged between said gears, mechanism on said4 sitely facing bevel gears and a .balance bevel gear between them causing outward thrust driving shaft a differential on both of the bevel gears' of the differential mechani-S'l'f, and bevel driving pinioiis on oppositely facy shaft comprising oppo-.'

wit

-tially arranged teeth, and differential gear' le. J. 552/1,

said driving shaft in mesh respectively with the first mentioned bevelgears and connected respectively to the oppositely facing bevel v ars of 'the differential mechanism, said pinions and the gears with which they mesh aving tan entially arranged iteeth, whereby, in one irection of rotation of the driving shaft, the outward thrust of said differential gears is met by a tendency of lsaid pinions toward inward thrust.

42. The combination with a driving shaft, and a driven shaft in the same plane and normal thereto, of a bevel pinion on the driv?,

ing shaft, a bevel gear on the driven shaft lar er than the pinion and in mesh theresaid gear and pinion having tangening on said -said pinion. Y

43. The combination with a driving shaft driving shaft and connected to and a driven shaft in the same plane and normal thereto, of a bevel pinion on the driving shaft, a bevel gear on the driven shaft; llarger than the pinion and in mesh therewith, said gear and pinion havin tangentially arranged teeth, and a second eve'l gear' on said drii'ringshaft between'said pinion and said driven shaft.

'44. The combination with a driving shaft, and a driven shaft in the saine plane and normal thereto, of a bevel pinion on the driv- 1 `ing shaft, abevel gear on theldriven shaft ,lar enthan the inin and in mesh therewit saidgear and pinion havin tangentially arranged teeth, and a second evel gear 4on said driving shaft facing the same way. as

said pinion.

ing shaft, a bevel gear on the driven shaft'in `mesh with s aid pinion, said pinion and gear being of such relative sizes and having teeth tangentially-arranged at'such an angle, as to canse axialvthrusty of the pinion toward the apex of the cone, and a second bevel .gear on said driving shaft between said pinion and said driven shaft.

47. The combination with a driving shaft, and-a driven shaft in the same plane and normal thereto, of a bevel pinion on the driving` shaft, a bevel gear on the driven shaft in mesh with said pinion, said pinion and ar being of such relative sizes and having teeth' tangentially 'arranged at such and sitely facing bevel said second gear having gears, said pinionsl and gears an angle, as to cause axial thrust of the pinion toward the apex of the cone, and a seoond bevel gear on said driving shaftfacing the same way as said pinion.

48. The combination with a driving shaft, and a driven shaft in thelsaine plane and normal thereto, of 'aI bevel pinion on `the driving shaft, a bevel V gear onthe driven shaft in mesh with said pinion, said pinion and gear being of such relative sizes and having teeth tangentially arranged at such an angle, as to cause axial thrust of the pinion toward the apex of the cone, and a bevel gear differential mechanism on said driving shaft and connected tosai'd pinion.

49. In anaxle, in combination, a support- 'ing structure Wheels at `theends thereof, laxle shafts connected to said whee1s,=oppo -sitely facing bevel gears at the inner ends of said shafts a driving shaft extending laterall) between the innerends ofsaid shafts,

shaft in mesh respectivelywith` the bevel gears, said pinions and gears having tangentially arranged teeth.l

50. In an axle, in combination, a supporting structure, wheels at the ends thereof,` axle shafts connected to said wheels, oppoof said shafts, a rivi-ng shaft extending laterally betweeny the inner'ends of said shafts, bevel driving pinions on said drivin shaft 4in mesh respectively with, the beve ears at the inner endsevel driving pinions on'said driving gears, saidpinions `and gears havin tani (gientially arra'n teeth, and a beve ear iiferentialmec anism on said driving s aft arranged between and said pinions. .J y

51. In an axle, in combination, a supportingstructure', o positely facing bevel ars therein, a latera driving' shaft arrangeebetween said gears, Vdriving bevel pinions on said shaft in meshV respectively 4with said gears,

said pinions'and gears having tangentially 4arranged teeth and separated bearings in saidA structure su orting said driving shaft, one only of sai ing adapted. to take endV thrust.

52. In an agile, in combinatioma support- 4 1.15v

ing structure, oppositely ,facing bevel ears connectedf to drive earings betherein, a lateral driving shaft .arrange b e- I tweensaid gea'rs,driving bevel pinions on n said shaft-in mesh respectivel'l gentially arranged teeth and bearings in said structnrelsii driving shafhfone only of sai separated arings being secured .in said structure against endi' wise movement.

53; In an axle, in combination, asupport` ingstructnre, oppositely. facing bevel gears therein, a lateral. driving Vshaft arranged be-J i'.

tween said gears, `driving bevel pinions 'on saidlshaft ininesh respectively with said gears, said "pinions and gears having tan- With Said."y aving tan-` n parting said edteeth and separated entially arra structure supporting said arings in sai, driving shaft, one of said bearin adapted to take end thrust andl t e other bingloating and takinradial load only.

54. In an axle, in com ination, a supporting structure, oppositely facing bevel gears therein, a latera drivin shaft arran ed between said gears, a di erential m ec anism on said shaft comprising compensating pinions and driven bevel'gears, driving bevel inions on said shaft operated" respectively Ey the' bevel ears of said com ensating mechanism' auf arranged in mesV respectively witli said` opmsitely facing bevel gears, said pinionsan ears having tangentially arranged teeth, t rust means on said shaft to'take the thrust of said driving bevel pinions, vand separated structure supporting said only of said bearings being adapted to take endthrust.

55. In an axle, in combination, a supporting structure, oppositely facing bevel gears therein, a lateral driving tween said geeist -a on saidshaft. comprising compensatingpinions and driven bevel gears, driving bevel pinions on said shaft operated vrespectively by the bevel gears of said compensating being on said sha bearings in said' driving shaft, one

shaft arranged bedifferential mechanismmechanism and varranged in mesh respectively with said opposit'ely facing bevel.

ears,said driving bevel pinions and the vel gears with which-they ta-ngentially arran red teeth, thrust means on said shaft to taii -bevel pinions in both directions, and supporting bearings for said driving shaft in said structure. y

56. In an axle, in combination, a.l supporting structure, oppositely facing bevel therein, a lat-eral driving shaft arranged -between said ears, a differential vmechanism fstK comprising compensating pinions and driven -bevel gears, driving bevel pinions on'said shaft operated respectively by the bevel 'gears of said compensating mesh having e thrust o f said driving gea mechanism and arranged in mesh respecv tively 'Witlrsaid oppositely facing bevel gears, said driving bevel pinions and the bevel gears with which they mesh having'I tangentially arranged teeth, thrust-means on said shaft to take thrust o f said driving bevel pinions in both directions, and separated bearings in said structure, said driving shaft, one being adapted'to take end thrust.

In testimony' whereof I affix my signature.

oRMoND E. HUNT.

snpportin'nr 55 l may 0f and bearing 

